Hundreds gathered at Bau Island yesterday to commemorate the 100 nights of the passing of the Roko Tui Bau, Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi.

The late Roko Tui Bau’s wife, Adi Lusiana Tuivanuavou, was accompanied by Adi Kakua Mara in the traditional protocol of vakataraisulu.

In the iTaukei tradition, when a chief passes away, taboos come into effect for 100 nights.

The Bau waters were off bounds since the late Ratu Joni was laid to rest. Also, the womenfolk wore black for 100 nights as a sign of mourning.

Yesterday’s ceremony (vakataraisulu) was the lifting of the taboo.

Adi Lusiana and Adi Kakua were traditionally dressed and presented to the Tui Kaba clan.

The Vunivalu na Tui Kaba is the head of the Kubuna confederacy. The title has been vacant since 1989.

Adi Lusiana was led by the Masau clan while Adi Kakua the Tunitoga clan.

Together they presented gifts and traditional items, yards of colourful material, raw food and more at the village rara.

The Tui Kaba clan then took over the proceedings.

Adi Kakua and Adi Lusiana were taken respectively to Mataiwelagi and Naisogolaca.

Here their traditional garb were removed and they were dressed by the ladies of the Tui Kaba clan with a whole new set of clothes.

The Tui Kaba clan then presented the ladies to the Yavusa Ratu.

This includes the tribes of the Roko Tui Kiuva, Ratu from Moturiki, Roko Tui Viwa, Roko Durucoko from Naselai, Tui Nabou from Natogadravu, Ratu from Bureta, Tai Vugalei, Dravuni and those from Yavusa Ratu from Tovu lailai, Nairai.

The presentation from the Tui Kaba clan included another set of traditional items including whales tooth, kerosene drums, yards of materials and more.

The Roko Tui Bau is the head of the Yavusa Ratu.

This was the final stage of the vakataraisulu.

Turaga Na Masau, Ratu Deve Toganivalu, said what transpired yesterday clearly depicted who the late Roko Tui Bau was.

“He was a very humble and a strong leader who was a role model to all of us,” he said.

The former President, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, and Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama were also part of the ceremony.

Mr Bainimarama is from the tribe of the Roko Tui Kiuva.

The burua was also observed at the end of the day.

Burua is the ‘magiti’ (offering of food) as a form of appreciation presented to those who contributed to the ceremony.

Edited by Rosi Doviverata

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